A look at the latest trends in footwear from around the world.

01/05/2011

Vat increases versus shoe sales

One thing we'll be extremely interested to know this year is how the world of footwear retailing will be affected by the recent rise in VAT.

Ok, so it's only a further rise of two and a half percent, but there is a psychological barrier pricewise beyond which most of us won't go when buying things - and that extra bit of VAT is bound to have an effect on more expensive items, especially now that 2011 looks like a year when we will all have to economise.

There is of course the possibility that this rise won't actually have too much of an effect on the industry as a whole so long as it reacts to the new reality imaginatively. Value brands are bound to see an increase, while designer brands might just have to adjust their exclusivity pricing since the people who can afford to pay top dollar are going to be more scarce.

Now that the snow has finally disappeared though, one thing's for sure - those winter boots will (hopefully) be taking a long rest.